So the pressure was on, Hutton in the Forrest was our last event of the season and I really wanted to do well. I really wanted the elusive DC and after jumping a big single phase BN track last week at Blueridge and only taking the last fence I thought me might be in with a chance.
We had a lovely 4.30am start but the weather was good and the 3 hour drive went smoothly. I had not been to Hutton before but walking the course it seemed like it would suit Corky, lots of hills and stretches to gallop. The SJing was built to height with lots of fillers so all looked good for us.
We warmed up for the dressage and Corky seemed to be enjoying himself for a change – the two riders before of me had pulled out which actually worked out well as I could choose when I went in within the time slots. This kept C happy as there was no hanging about etc. In we went and woohoo – things seemed to go well. I finished with a big smile on my face and knew it was our best test of the season. I didn’t even care about the mark – it ended up not to best mark but it was our best position in the field after the DR so that is what really matters.
The Sjing went well, I let Corky get a little fast and flat after the double which meant we took one pole but overall quite good – here is the video Belle took. It did mean the DC was off the table though L
Oh well – onwards to the XC. We had a strange warm up, as I’ve been working so hard on the bouncy show jumping canter I actually found it quite difficult to get him to open up for the bigger spreads. It actually took me to the first long gallop to really get him going. The course was fab though – a couple of tricky combinations were causing problems – a double going downhill and then a brush combination within the trees with the second element on a sharp left hand turn. Belle videoed this too and you can really see the concentration and determination on my face to jump cleanly though the line.
Clear XC and within the time – he felt like he could go round again and really enjoyed himself.
I had a quick check of the score sheet before leaving to find out we had been placed 8th with our best overall score of the season. I was over the moon – you would have thought we had won by the smile on my face at the prize giving – photo below. Definitely a proud pony moment.
With the eventing season over for me we had Blair to look forward to then a holiday for me and Corky.
We had a lovely 4.30am start but the weather was good and the 3 hour drive went smoothly. I had not been to Hutton before but walking the course it seemed like it would suit Corky, lots of hills and stretches to gallop. The SJing was built to height with lots of fillers so all looked good for us.
We warmed up for the dressage and Corky seemed to be enjoying himself for a change – the two riders before of me had pulled out which actually worked out well as I could choose when I went in within the time slots. This kept C happy as there was no hanging about etc. In we went and woohoo – things seemed to go well. I finished with a big smile on my face and knew it was our best test of the season. I didn’t even care about the mark – it ended up not to best mark but it was our best position in the field after the DR so that is what really matters.
The Sjing went well, I let Corky get a little fast and flat after the double which meant we took one pole but overall quite good – here is the video Belle took. It did mean the DC was off the table though L
Oh well – onwards to the XC. We had a strange warm up, as I’ve been working so hard on the bouncy show jumping canter I actually found it quite difficult to get him to open up for the bigger spreads. It actually took me to the first long gallop to really get him going. The course was fab though – a couple of tricky combinations were causing problems – a double going downhill and then a brush combination within the trees with the second element on a sharp left hand turn. Belle videoed this too and you can really see the concentration and determination on my face to jump cleanly though the line.
Clear XC and within the time – he felt like he could go round again and really enjoyed himself.
I had a quick check of the score sheet before leaving to find out we had been placed 8th with our best overall score of the season. I was over the moon – you would have thought we had won by the smile on my face at the prize giving – photo below. Definitely a proud pony moment.
With the eventing season over for me we had Blair to look forward to then a holiday for me and Corky.
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